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Bill

HB 1145

Motor vehicle safety inspections; certified safety inspectors.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Austin

Virginia bill increases mandatory motor vehicle safety inspection frequency to enhance road safety but raises compliance costs for drivers and strains inspection facility capacity.

Approved by Governor-Chapter 743 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Bill Summary · HB 1145

Legislative bill overview

HB 1145 increases the frequency of mandatory safety inspections for motor vehicles in Virginia. The bill has been substantially revised through committee substitutes and recently passed the House Transportation Committee with unanimous support (21-0). The legislation aims to enhance vehicle safety standards through more frequent inspection requirements.

Why is this important

More frequent safety inspections can reduce accidents caused by mechanical failures and improve road safety for all drivers. However, this also increases compliance costs for vehicle owners and places additional administrative burden on inspection facilities, potentially affecting lower-income drivers disproportionately.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost impact on vehicle owners: Increased inspection frequency raises out-of-pocket expenses, which may disproportionately affect lower-income Virginians who already struggle with vehicle maintenance costs
  • Business burden on inspection stations: More frequent inspections create higher demand on private and public inspection resources, potentially causing delays and scheduling challenges
  • Effectiveness justification: The bill lacks clear evidence that increasing inspection frequency significantly reduces accidents or improves safety outcomes compared to current inspection intervals

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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